The Wife of Seisaku

This film essentially starts out just prior to the Russo-Japanese War with a beautiful young woman by the name of "Okane" (Ayako Wakao) having been sold to a wealthy old man by her parents in order to pay a debt. Although she doesn't actually love him she performs her duties in an admirable manner and because of that she is given a reasonable amount of money by his family when he passes away. So when her father also dies not long afterward she uses a portion of that money to relocate back to the small village she left several years earlier. However, the villagers all look down upon her because of her previous situation and as a result she becomes quite bitter and lonely. This situation changes, however, when the most popular person in the village named "Seisaku" (Takahiro Tamura) falls madly in love with her-and she returns that affection many times over. Unfortunately, having experienced the depths of loneliness previously neither are prepared for what happens when he is called upon to serve in the army and she is left alone with villagers who still despise her. Now rather than reveal any more I will just say that this was an interesting film which was greatly enhanced by a remarkable plot, good camera work and the incredible beauty of Ayako Wakao. Admittedly, there were a couple of scenes where the acting was a bit over-the-top but all things considered I enjoyed this movie and I have rated it accordingly.

This is a remake of a silent film (unfortunately I have not yet seen) from 1924.

A period drama set in the early 1900's at the time of the Russo-Japanese war. Everything being factually correct as far as I know. A woman that was in an arranged marriage to an older man who died. She returns to the village she is originally from although still an outcast from the time she had left. She meets, falls in love and marries a respected and distinguished soldier.

Ayako Wakao plays the lead for which she won a couple of Japanese acting awards. This performance could have won an academy award. She is outstanding. I think one of the best actresses of all time from any country. The rest of the cast is excellent.

The direction by Yasuzô Masumura also excellent. The editing is seamless. Not sure what could have been improved. The script and story are totally engrossing from start to finish. Plus it gives you things to think about. That is why I rate this movie a 10 out of 10. It is one of my most recommended Japanese movies I make to friends. Definitely should be watched.

I watched Yasuzo Masumura's Red Angel a few nights ago, and was really impressed, so decided to watch another film of his that also starred Ayako Wakao in the lead role. Both it and Seisaku's Wife are perhaps comparable in the sense that they focus on love during wartime, and much like life, show it to be no party, no disco, nor any kind of fooling around. But Red Angel's grimness was unrelenting and genuinely shocking, and Seisaku's Wife feels a little more melodramatic in a way I couldn't quite click with. It's very repetitive, and even though I do agree with what I think the movie is criticizing, I just got so worn down by how much it seems to repeat itself.

It might be the point - the endless (and annoying) gossiping and two lead characters who keep feeling stuck by the terrible and backward small town they live in. I don't know if it fully came together, though, and the more shocking scenes feel jarring in a way that might've also been intentional, but still didn't hit me the way I think they were supposed to. It's a bit of a mess, but I think it's well-shot and mostly well-acted, and also given that some of the frustrations I felt are probably the point (doesn't mean I liked feeling that way, nor found it the "right" amount of frustrating), I can't exactly call it bad. I'll absolutely never watch it again, though.

This is a desperate story of how love can drive people to extremes to hold on to the ones they love and keep them safe. It's also a condemnation of Japanese militarism and small town bigotry. The violence when it comes is quite shocking but wholly appropriate to the story. It's one of the most real love stories you'll ever see on film.

An astonishing film in terms of it's relentless power to both shock and move. It has a quick and melodic pace, something rather uncommon for films of the time. It gets moving straight away and sets us in a world of misplaced honor and preconceptions. Wakao is simply stunning in both her looks and talent. She plays a beaten down woman with a lot of spite, but equal amounts of heart. After the death of her sugar daddy, she returns to her home village where she is seen as tainted goods. It isn't long before a role model soldier returns to the village and, against the wishes of the townsfolk, sets his sites on the outcast. The two both seem to be rebelling against society, but also do have genuine affection for each other. It isn't something that is easy to pull off. By the time the violent third comes around it is a disturbing act of love that perfectly sums up the complex themes running around. This film is unforgettable and I would even recommend it to those that find early Asian cinema a bit slow. Hopefully, this could open some doors.